The objective of this work is the analysis of the influence that the resources and capabilities of companies in the distribution sector in Spain has to explain productive efficiency as a performance measure (in the period 1997-2006, for a total of 42 sectors of activity a 4-digit NACE). It also pays special attention to the sector and the location of the company as environmental control factors. The main results show that the resources made available by companies in the distribution sector explain the higher levels of production efficiency in terms of performance achieved by them. In particular, differences in efficiency are related to greater levels of vertical integration, greater provision of material resources in terms of intensity, and human capital as measured by higher salaries. Finally, the regional location of the company is a factor while explaining the differences in efficiency.